Being a people of peace (ANZAC 2017)

Welcome and Introduction

Good Morning on behalf of Allora RSL and The Salvation Army I welcome you today as we commemorate Anzac Day for 2017. I am Lt Zak Churchill and I am the Corps Officer of the Warwick Corps of the Salvation Army with oversight of the work throughout the Southern Downs.

We meet today not to celebrate or glorify war, but rather to remember those who have served our country during conflict and crisis. This day marks the anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli. Like hundreds of thousands of our fellow citizens, we gather at memorials in cities, suburbs and towns across Australia, we have come here to commemorate one of the most significant events in our national calendar. Today we remember all those that did not come home and those that did come home, ….. but were never the same again. We remember their sacrifice in the name of peace.

Opening Prayer

Almighty God, we remember with thanksgiving, those who made the supreme sacrifice for us in times of war. We pray that the offering of their lives may not have been in vain. May your grace enable us this day to dedicate ourselves to the cause of justice, freedom and peace; and give us the wisdom and strength to build a better world.

Amen

Hymn - Abide with me

Address

Here we stand 102 years after the landing at Gallipoli to once again commemorate Anzac Day. Over the last 102 years many service men and women have committed themselves to the pursuit of peace. Many made the ultimate sacrifice in giving up their lives, others still returned from conflict changed and burdened by the horror of war. Unfortunately not all of them were able to leave the conflict on the battle lines but brought it back with them. Military conflicts have been engaged to bring peace though they may have achieved their aims in dismantling powers of evil they did not achieve peace. The result of war has been the spreading of pain and suffering to many families across the globe. Even today families mourn for their loved ones, service men and women suffer from bodily injuries and many remain burdened by wounds that cannot be seen. This is truely the horror of war.

But let's not write off peace. We can have peace but it's not found in conflict it is provided by God our father.  tells us:

[11] the Lord blesses his people with peace.

Peace cannot be found in war, this is not to say that war is unnecessary. Throughout history without war we would not enjoy the stability and security that we enjoy as Australians today. But peace is not found in war, peace is only found in Christ.

NIV

[6] For to us a child is born, …… And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Christ is the prince of peace, the provider of peace. I don't believe it is a coincidence that Anzac Day and Easter are so close together. Because where Anzac Day reminds us of an earthly attempt for peace Easter achieved it.

NIV

[5] [That Jesus] was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

It is only through Christ that we can truely have peace. So as we reflect on Anzac Day again this year I wonder if we live our lives any differently because of Anzac Day. Do we still find ourselves fighting for peace or have we become a people of peace? Being a people of peace is to build upon the shoulders of those that have gone before us. To honour the sacrifice of so many Australians who gave everything in the name of peace. No doubt many of us have someone in our family who has tasted war. For me my great grand fathers served in WW1 and my grandfather in WW2 they went to war so that I wouldn't need to, they went to war so that I could have peace. It was through their love for us that they sacrificed of themselves so that we don't have to. They tasted war so that we didn't need to. Now it is our turn to ensure peace for our future generations. To be a people of peace and love. To love our neighbours, to help our community, to seek justice and love mercy. Anzac Day is not a celebration it is an opportunity, an opportunity to honour those that served by continuing to seek peace, not through violence but through the example of Christ, in love. It is only through love that we can have peace. Love is the answer to all of life’s questions. Christ on the cross showed us that no weapon or power can destroy love, but love can destroy every weapon and power. Through the example of a loving Christ who gave his life for us we are to do the same for the next generation. Let us ensure that the next generation remembers Anzac Day not because they are required to taste the horror of war but because we are a people of peace and love, because we are different in light of the sacrifice that we commemorate on this day. We are different because 1000’s of people who didn't know us have risked it all in the name of love and peace. So one question remains, will you live differently because of Anzac day? will you be a proclaimer of peace and love? or will the sacrifice we honour today continue to be one of many……

Now will you join me in a prayer for peace -

Gracious God,

We pray for peace in our communities this day.

We commit to you all who work for peace and an end to tensions,

And those who work to uphold law and justice.

We pray for an end to fear,

For comfort and support to those who suffer.

For calm in our streets and cities,

That people may go about their lives in safety and peace.

In your mercy, hear our prayers,

now and always. Amen

We will now continue our service this morning with the Laying of wreaths.

Wreath Laying

The Ode (RSL Rep)

Last Post

Minutes silence

Rouse

Will you join me now in singing our second hymn of the God who is our help, our hope and our shelter.

Hymn - O God our help in ages past

Announcements

Morning tea to follow

March at 10.45

Cenotaph service at 11.00

Benediction

God grant grace to the living,

rest to the departed.

Peace, unity and harmony be granted

to the Church, the Queen,

to Australia and to all people.

To us and all of Jesus’ disciples

be granted life everlasting.

And the blessing of God Almighty,

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be with you all and remain with you always.

Amen.

As we prepare to leave this morning I would invite you to be upstanding for the Australian national anthem. 

National Anthem